Making Your Own Solution for Baby Wipes
Whenever possible, use all-natural ingredients. Most ingredients are available at health food stores. It's fun to experiment and come up with your own recipe, too, by mixing and matching ingredients from the different wipe solution recipes, or adding your own special touch. Please keep in mind that if you're treating diaper rash, it's best to use plain water only.
I made these wipes solutions because I wanted something to gently discourage yeast diaper rashes. The vinegar and essential oils discourage yeast growth which means you shouldn't have too much trouble with these wipes getting mouldy. To prepare, use a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Pour all your ingredients in, cover the jar and shake to blend the ingredients. Place your wipes in a container and pour on enough solution to moisten them. Store any extra solution in the fridge. It should stay fresh for a long time especially if you used distilled water. If a baby had a really red, raw diaper rash you might not want to use these wipes as vinegar may cause a burning sensation.
Main Ingredients
Water: Best to use distilled. Tap
water goes mouldy quickly.
Soap: Baby shampoo is a favourite, but baby wash, or
liquid soap are also recommended.
Oil: Usually baby oil - helps to slide poo off.
Fragrance and Other: Essential oils are used both for
their fragrance and other intrinsic properties specific to each oil -
(i.e. tea tree oil-antibacterial). Vinegar is said to help slow down mould
growth.
General Methods
For dry wipes: Simply mix the ingredients into a spray bottle. You can either spray the wipe and use it wet or spray the baby's bottom for a mini treatment. The solution may also be kept in a jar and cloth wipes dipped in it.
For wet wipes: You can use an empty commercial wipes container or any plastic lidded container. Mix the ingredients in a separate container. Place the wipes in the container, then add the solution, and invert a few times to make sure the wipes all get sufficiently moistened. Use just enough solution to moisten. Extra solution can generally be kept refrigerated.
For dry wipes with water only: Keep dry wipes in diaper change area and wet under tap water when ready to use. This method works particularly well for baby's with extra sensitive skin.
Variations of Recipes to use for Wipe Solutions
The Original Recipe for Wipes
1/8-1/4 c. baby shampoo
1/8-1/4 c. Calendula oil
2 cups lukewarm water
Mix liquid ingredients gently and use with your preferred method.
Basic Wipes Solution 1
1 ½ - 3 cups water
1/8 cup Calendula oil
3-5 drops tea tree oil
8 drops lavender oil
Shake gently with 1/8 cup baby shampoo.
Basic Wipes Solution 2
2 cups water
2 T. Calendula oil
1 T. baby bath
1-2 drops Tea Tree oil
1-2 drops Lavender oil
Anti-Fungal Baby Wipes Solution
1/2 c. distilled water
1 tsp. vinegar
1/4 c. aloe Vera gel
1 TBS. calendula oil
1 drop lavender essential oil
1 drop tea tree essential oil
Simple Anti-Fungal Wipes Solution
2 cups (16 oz) water
2-5 drops Tea Tree oil
2-5 drops Lavender oil
1 teaspoon of your favourite baby wash (optional)
Herbal Wipes
2 cups water
2 tsp. baby shampoo
1/4 cup aloe Vera gel
1 tbsp. calendula oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
Calendula Wipes Solution
2 cups water
2 tsp. baby shampoo
1/4 cup aloe Vera gel
1 tbsp. calendula oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil
Lanolin Wipes Solution
4 cups water
1 tbsp baby shampoo, baby wash, or liquid soap
1-3 drops essential oil
1/4 tsp pure liquid lanolin
1 tbsp. liquid glycerine
Aloe Vera Wipes Solution
1 cup distilled water
1/2 cup aloe Vera gel
2 tbsp. calendula oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
2 tbsp. Witch Hazel
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